New Betty Boop Feature Film to be Produced by Simon Cowell

Just when you thought that every possible cartoon character from the past has been tapped for a feature film, word’s arrived from Simon Cowell’s Syco Entertainment and animation house Animal Logic Entertainment that they plan on making a feature-length film based on influential cartoon flapper Betty Boop.

Fleischer Studios, who owns the character, has been working with Syco and Animal Logic (Happy Feet, The LEGO Movie) as partners to develop what’s planned on being a hybrid animated comedy feature that’s driven by music.

First appearing in 1930, the flirtatious flapper appeared in hundreds of cartoons including Max Fleischer’s “Talkartoons” and her own series.

Betty Boop became the first female animated star when she first appeared in 1930 and made numerous appearances in over 100 cartoons, including Max Fleischer’s “Talkartoons” and her own cartoon series, becoming best known for her catch phrase “Boop-oop-a-doop!” She also made a cameo in Robert Zemeckis’ 1988 classic Who Framed Roger Rabbit – the predecessor to movies that combined live action with animation.

As the creator and producer of the hit TV shows “American Idol,” “The X Factor” and “America/Britain’s Got Talent,” Cowell previously produced the One Direction: This is Us concert movie and the upcoming One Chance, which is still waiting for a U.S. release by The Weinstein Company.

Cowell is quoted in the press release saying, “Betty is an icon, and one of the biggest stars in the world  I’m thrilled to be working with her. Betty, I’ve worked with some serious divas but I think you could be the biggest of them all!”

Zareh Nalbandian, Animal Logic’s CEO said, “I’m thrilled that Animal Logic is part of this exciting new collaboration with Betty. She’s an amazing, iconic and loved character, and we’re going to have so much fun producing her 21st century big screen debut.”

Fleischer Studios chairman and CEO Mark Fleischer added, “I am delighted to partner with Syco Entertainment and Animal Logic. Their energy, creativity and playfulness make them a perfect fit for Betty Boop.”

Jason Lust from Animal Logic said, “I’ve been trying to get Betty to the dance for years now. Can’t believe she’s finally said ‘Yes.'”

Adam Milano, Syco’s Head of Film said, “Betty is the original funny girl and to be able to create a music-driven comedy with her at the center is an amazing opportunity.”

Besides animated movies like Happy Feet and The LEGO Movie, Animal Logic has also done visual FX work for Baz Luhrmann’s The Great Gatsby and Moulin Rouge!, The Hunger Games: Catching Fire, 300, X-Men: Days of Future Past and many more.

This is the latest project to be announced in the recent partnership between Syco Entertainment and Animal Logic to create music-based animated and combined animation and live-action films with their first, still unnamed, movie to be released by Sony in 2016.